sparkin

I have a clean build machine with the following spec:
MOBO: ASROCK N68PV-GS
CPU: AMD ATHLON 7750 Dual Core
GRAPHICS: GEFORCE 8400GS
4GB RAM
160GB SATA HDD
DVD: OPTIARC AD-7200S

Initally installed XP to check out machine - everything was fine (XP install took normal length of time - approx 30 mins).

Then purchased VISTA HOME BASIC and did a clean install.

VISTA took ages to install. After 4.5 hours I went to bed and let it finish overnight. At least it installed though!

Now trying to install SIMS 3. What a nightmare. Takes forever, again left overnight. However install failed with:

ERROR: ERROR PERFORMING INPAGE OPERATION.

Anyone got any ideas?